Buffalo Bills News - August 1, 2015

Kromer Update [1:27 AM]WGR-AM reports:
'According to ESPN Bills beat reporter Mike Rodak, charges against Bills Offensive Line coach Aaron Kromer have been dropped at the request of the victims parents after sides reached an agreement.'

Darby, Sammy shine; QBs struggle on Day One [1:26 AM]WGR-AM reports:
'EJ Manuel didn’t look any different than the EJ we’ve seen through two years so far. He was able to hit on some shorter throws, but too many passes that he should connect on were off the mark.'

Bills Prez: Time to toss playoff drought anvil into Lake Erie [1:25 AM]WGR-AM reports:
' "They’ve been together for a while, especially on the defensive side of the ball. They got a taste of it last year, we were close but you know we couldn’t get over the hump. They’re holding each other accountable as great teams do. Just being around these guys, I have a feeling they know there’s something special on the horizon if they can just put it all together. We said we put the anvil in Lake Erie when the Pegulas bought the franchise, we need to put this anvil in Lake Erie as well and get this playoff drought off of our backs.”'

Bills' Harvin gets some work at corner [1:24 AM]WGR-AM reports:
'As far as Harvin pulling a Troy Brown and playing both ways, Ryan said it was actually the wide receiver’s idea, “He came to me and wanted to help this team out in any way. You can’t have enough depth at corner, so let’s see what he can do.” Ryan added, “Obviously we aren’t going to over coach him, but if he can help out in that area. Obviously he’s got the physical skills that you’d think he’d probably be pretty good at it.”'

7 Bills training camp observations: Day 1 [1:23 AM]WKBW-TV reports:
'The highly anticipated three-man quarterback competition is underway in Pittsford, NY, and as to be expected, neither of the three jumped out into an early lead.'

Darby's opportunity comes sooner than expected [1:22 AM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
'Ronald Darby may be a second-round pick, but in a secondary steeped in veteran talent, the rookie was hoping to see some prime opportunities here and there. On day one of training camp Darby got that and a whole lot more. With Leodis McKelvin on the Active/Non-Football Injury list and no timetable for a return, Darby appears to have a golden opportunity to make a name for himself at left cornerback early in camp.'

Top 3 things you need to know from Day 1 at Bills Camp [1:21 AM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
'Bills head coach Rex Ryan and the offensive staff gave respect to veteran experience on day one of training camp as 10-year vet Matt Cassel was the first man through in the quarterback rotation Friday. He was followed by fifth-year QB Tyrod Taylor and then EJ Manuel. Manuel got most of his work with the second unit.'

Bills name Meyer Football Operations Consultant [1:20 AM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
'The Bills announced the hiring of Pat Meyer as the team's football operations consultant. Meyer spent the 2013 with the Chicago Bears as an offensive line coach. He’s served as an offensive line coach, an offensive coordinator and a strength and conditioning coach.'

July 31, 2015

Plenty of buzz as Bills open camp [5:27 PM]Olean Times Herald reports:
'To be sure there will be questions on which hopefuls will start on either side of center Eric Wood along the offensive line and which two or three wide receivers will survive along with Sammy Watkins, Robert Woods and Harvin from the other eight bidding for jobs.'

Fullback Felton ready for a block party [1:59 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'Felton is the forgotten signing, the one who inked a four-year, $9.2 million deal to serve as McCoy’s lead blocker. His position is going extinct elsewhere – but not in Buffalo where Rex Ryan plans on building a run-first operation. Heading into his eighth season, Felton is a survivor. He’s been cut. He’s been arrested. He’s been rushed to the hospital. He’s proving that, yes, teams should still carry a fullback.'

Will there be a Gilmore Island? [1:58 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'In Jim Schwartz’s defense last season, one that didn’t blitz as much, Gilmore had 46 tackles, three interceptions and one forced fumble. In three seasons, he has 32 total pass break-ups. The Bills showed a lot of faith in Gilmore this offseason, picking up his fifth-year option in 2016 at the price of about $11 million.'

Pegula will be patient about new stadium for Bills [1:57 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'“The only answer to that question is the state and county, there’s been a lot of money put into Ralph Wilson Stadium,” Pegula said. “We’re in no hurry. We realize that if that work was just done, how foolish would you look if you start looking around for a new stadium when we’ve just renovated the one we have? We have time. We have an existing lease on the current stadium.”'

Ex-Bill Curtis Brown dies at age 60 [1:55 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'In 2013, Art Holliday wrote about Brown’s treatment for football-related dementia for KDSK-TV. Brown said he suffered four concussions, but his neurologist, Dr. David Brady at the Barnes Jewish Hospital said in the article, “We really think of the reported concussions like the four that Mr. Brown reported, as potentially the tip of an iceberg. There might be a lot under the surface that we don’t know about.”'

Bills’ Sammy Watkins says he’s injury-free [1:54 AM]Rochester D&C reports:
'“I feel good and I’m ready to start,” said Watkins. “There’s a lot I have to make up. Missing 3-4 months of football, it definitely takes you back and there’s something to work on every day. I can’t wait to get started with the quarterbacks and getting back to feeling like myself. It starts with the first day competing with the cornerbacks to see where I’m at.”'

Rex Ryan injecting enthusiasm into Bills, WNY [1:53 AM]Rochester D&C reports:
'"The water was circling the drain in New York and he was awesome about the way he spoke about everybody in the organization," Tasker said. "He couldn't have been more complimentary about the organization and the opportunity they had given him, and my impression was, 'What a guy.' With his personality, the way he runs his show, the way the players play for him, the way he is in the locker room, the feedback I got from the New York players about what kind of guy he is, I just knew it would be a perfect fit here."'

53-man roster projection for 2015 season [1:51 AM]Syracuse Post Standard reports:
'At this point, it's tough to predict the Buffalo Bills cutting a quarterback without seeing any of them in padded practices. If anyone gets cut it will be Matt Cassel, who had the worst spring and carries the biggest price tag.'

Bills owner says team in no rush to build new stadium [1:47 AM]AP reports:
'"The lease gives us the opportunity to take a quantitative and holistic view of what the future may hold and educate ourselves on subjects related to that but we're very comfortable and very pleased with Ralph Wilson Stadium and the relationship we have with both the county and the state," he said.'

Bills coach Kromer pleads not guilty to battery [1:46 AM]AP reports:
'Walton County court records show that Kromer filed a written plea of not guilty Wednesday to a misdemeanor battery charge. The sheriff's office says Kromer was arrested earlier this month after confronting two boys, pushing one to the ground and punching him.'

Bills DE Williams, four others sidelined [1:45 AM]The Sports Xchange reports:
'The team did not disclose the injuries that are sidelining the players. They all can come off the lists any time before the start of the season and begin practicing.'

Bills open camp with all eyes on quarterbacks [1:43 AM]WGR-AM reports:
'“I feel like daily I’m being asked about the quarterback competition, whether it's from friends, family, people on the street, whoever. And I literally have no idea. And I’m excited to see these guys in preseason games, in team settings in practice, getting to work with them with the pads on, with guys actually coming at them which is a big deal for a quarterback. I’m sure you guys are about ready for a starter to be named just like we are. But we got a whole lot of work before it will probably be announced.”'

Who will be the Bills starting QB? [1:42 AM]WGR-AM reports:
'I can't say I have a strong conviction with this pick. I honestly would not be shocked if on opening day EJ Manuel or Tyrod Taylor are starting. The main reason why I chose Cassel is his experience. He has 10 years in the NFL and has made 71 starts so I'm thinking he could have an edge in getting a handle on Greg Roman's offense. I think the Bills are looking for a quarterback to manage the game and limit mistakes and I think Cassel, at this point, has a better chance of doing that than Manuel and Taylor.'

Full go the expectation for Sammy Watkins [1:40 AM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
'“I’ll definitely be out there,” said Watkins. “I don’t know what the circumstance will be with the (athletic training) staff and what I’m going to be doing or how limited I’m going to be, but I’m definitely going to be practicing.”'